Billy Graham - Refusing to think about eternity is misguided

By Billy Graham

Published: Thursday, August 1, 2013 at 07:34 PM.

Q: My friend refuses to think about anything dealing with life after death. He says the only thing that interests him is his life right now. And anyway, he says, he believes everything will work out for the best somehow. How can I get through to him? — L.Y.

A: Your friend isn’t alone; if you stood on a street corner in almost any major city today and asked people how much they think about God or life after death, most would probably give you a similar answer.

Why is this? Why do so many people put their heads in the sand (so to speak) and refuse to think about what will happen to them when they die? One reason, I’m afraid, is because it’s simply easier. Why bother thinking about eternity when you have so many other things going on in your life right now? Like the man in one of Jesus’ parables, they say to themselves, “Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry” (Luke 12:19).

But often people refuse to think about eternity for another reason: They like the way they’re living right now, and they’re afraid that if they take God or eternity seriously, they’ll have to change. And they might be right, because Christ calls us to repent of our sins and follow Him alone.

Pray for your friend; only God can change his heart and show him the folly of his ways. Pray, too, that you will be a witness for Christ by the way you live — by your love for others and the purity of your life. Remember Jesus’ words: “You are the light of the world.... Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14 ,16 ).

Q: My friend refuses to think about anything dealing with life after death. He says the only thing that interests him is his life right now. And anyway, he says, he believes everything will work out for the best somehow. How can I get through to him? — L.Y.

A: Your friend isn’t alone; if you stood on a street corner in almost any major city today and asked people how much they think about God or life after death, most would probably give you a similar answer.

Why is this? Why do so many people put their heads in the sand (so to speak) and refuse to think about what will happen to them when they die? One reason, I’m afraid, is because it’s simply easier. Why bother thinking about eternity when you have so many other things going on in your life right now? Like the man in one of Jesus’ parables, they say to themselves, “Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry” (Luke 12:19).

But often people refuse to think about eternity for another reason: They like the way they’re living right now, and they’re afraid that if they take God or eternity seriously, they’ll have to change. And they might be right, because Christ calls us to repent of our sins and follow Him alone.

Pray for your friend; only God can change his heart and show him the folly of his ways. Pray, too, that you will be a witness for Christ by the way you live — by your love for others and the purity of your life. Remember Jesus’ words: “You are the light of the world.... Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14 ,16 ).